You Want Me to Talk to Whom? Let’s Pursue Interfaith Dialogue

By Donald W. Whitt III

Apostolic Pentecostal (AP) tradition has always had a tinge of discomfort in its dialogue with over religious traditions. As a movement, we reject relativism and we are spiritually exclusive in accord with our biblical tradition (John 14). Our AP tradition believes in the exclusive relationship to Christ via justification in baptism in Jesus’ name with the outpouring of the Holy Ghost evidence of speaking in other tongues (Romans 6, Acts 19:1-6). This leads us to the conclusion of spiritually exclusive rights to the power of God (Acts 1:8) through the workings of salvation.

However, one cannot derive from the method of salvation, that we are the only ones truly searching after God. Only by the mercy of God do we have any spiritual exclusivity at all—and this is only by divine revelation.

Take A Deep Breath . . .

Therefore, I posit that the AP movement specifically has a revelation of salvation, but not the exclusivity of other revelations of God. Furthermore, I contend that God will earnestly pour out his spirit on whoever will diligently search after him (Joel 2:28-29/Acts 2:17-18).

I suggest that it is arrogant to hold that we, the AP movement, are the only ones truly searching after God. It would be supercilious to think that a Charismatic Christian, Catholic, Buddhist, Jew, Muslim, or Spiritualist does not sincerely, systematically, or critically search after a true revelation and deeper relationship with God. In is imperative that we understand that these faithful may have very real relationships and revelations of God; however, what they lack is the complete revelation of salvation.

Humble Superiority?

We, therefore, need to have a paradigm shift in our role and contribution to the conversation of dialogue with other faiths. Our role in the dialogue, no matter the arena, needs to be one of severe respect for those that we encounter. While we may agree in part or disagree in entirety with their beliefs, we must have reverence for the individual and even assume that they have had an experience to stay within their tradition. Why is it paramount to have such an attitude? Because, approaching another with a preconceived notion of our superiority will automatically alienate them and not demonstrate Christ’s true love.

If, however, we approach others with an utmost and earnest respect for their religion, we will quickly build trust and rapport. This foundation will ultimately lead to a sincere interfaith discussion. Assuming that both parties are truly searching after a revelation of God, and knowing that we contain the salvation revelation, I can only believe that God will reveal himself to that person and lead them to salvation. This is the basis for successful conversion.

Go Ye To The Believers, Too

Mark 16:15 says that we are to “go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” I propose that this verse stretches far beyond the traditional teaching of foreign missions for evangelism. I believe this is a calling for each of us to advance into our individual world, and not only an exclusive call for treading on geographically foreign soil.

We are all ambassadors of Christ, citizens of the Kingdom of God, and strangers here; any and all interaction with our environment is, therefore by definition, “going into the world.” In addition, preaching certainly does not require a lectern. Our “world” that we must “go into” is our context. This includes your neighbor, co-worker and the everyday people that surround us. Within the United States, that context, depending on the geographic region, may be rich with various faiths, belief systems, and religions. Radically, I therefore say that we do not fear the mosque that was just built on our corner, but that we see the opportunity to engage those that pray within.

Exclusive Pluralism

What makes us so uneasy about considering all of this is the notion of becoming pluralistic or relative in our theology. However, being pluralistic does not require that we become spiritually relative or universal. In fact, Eboo Patel [1] , an Ismaili Muslim, founder of the Interfaith Youth Corp (IFYC) in Chicago, Illinois, teaches all of his interfaith workers that they should remain spiritually exclusive to their traditions, but become more socio-religiously plural.

One method employed at the IFYC is the use of community projects and social initiatives to promote inter-religious cooperation. This fosters dialogue among the religiously (or non-religious) diverse array of workers coming together to benefit their community. As a result, Dr. Patel states that those who become involved in the IFYC actually become more solid in their faith because they are forced to critically view it and encouraged to remain faithful to it. By the way, like the AP tradition, the Islamic tradition believes in proselytism.

Let’s Talk

I believe that we, as apostolic Pentecostal Christians, must wholeheartedly engage in interfaith dialogue, while maintaining the utmost and profound respect for those of other traditions, beliefs and faiths so that we may bear witness of Christ (Acts 1:8). I inherently believe that we, as humanity, are searching after a relationship with God.

We are searching after that relationship that was severed by the fall in the garden and humanity is desperately trying to reconnect it. That reconnection is salvation, attained through the second birth (John 3). When we engage others in meaningful dialogue, the opportunity for the salvation revelation to be garnered is elevated. In the end, those that are sincerely seeking after God will not deny a revelation of salvation, and will enter into the kingdom of God. After all, He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

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Donald W. Whitt, III is a graduate student at Wayne State University where he studies Arabic and Islamic Studies. He is also working on his MTS at UGST.